The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-11

the press has succeeded In creating sentiment
of bitterness and hated among great portion
of the populace so that one man no matter
how powerful, how courageous, how Just, he be,
cannot possibly overcome II. They hold that to
overcome that sentiment, or influence thereof
would almost be an imposSlblliy. Not wishing
therefor TO place your eXcellency in a still more
embarrassing position, between the blind fanatl-
csm of a misnformed public on the one hand
and justice on the other they concluded to sub
NIT the case TO you Internationally. implore
you not TO let this difference of action have any
weight with you in determining our fate.
During our trial the desire OF the Prosecutor TO
slaughter me and let my co-defendants off
with milder punishment was quite apparent and
manifest. 1t seemed to me and great many
Others that the prosecution would be satisfied
with one life. States Attorney Grinnell in his
argument intirnated this very plainly. ! care
not to protest my innocence of any crime and
the one Of which l am accused N
history. But to you wish to address myself
now as the alleged arch-consprator 0eaving the
fact that / never have belonged TO any kind OF
conspiracy out Of the question altogether. If
sacrifices of life there mast be, viii not my life
suffice? The States Attorney OF Cook county
asked for no more. Take this, then-take my life.
| OFFER II TO you; that you may satisfy the fury
of a semi barbaric mob, and save those of my
comrades know that every one of my com
rades is as willing to die and perhaps more so
than am. 1t is not for their sake that make
this proffer, but in the name of humanity and
progress. In the interest OF the peaceable
If possible, development of the social forces
that are destined to lift our race upon higher
and better plane of clvilization: In the name OF
the traditions of our country, beg you to pre-
vent seven-fold murder of men whose only
crime is that they are idealists; that they long
fer better future for all. IL legal murder there
must be, let mine suffice. A. SPIES.
GOV. oGLEsBY's DECISION IN FULL.
Following is the Governors decision in
full in the Anarchist case:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
SPRINGFIELD, Nov. 10, 1887.
On the Goth day of August, 1886, in the Cook
County Criminal Court, August Spies Albert
Parsons, Samuel Fieden, Michael Schwab,
Adolph Fischer, George Engel and Louis Lingg
were found guilty by the verdict of jury and
afterward sentenced to be hanged for the muir
der of NJ. J. Degan An appeal was taken from
such finding and sentence to the Supreme Court
of the State. That court upon final hearing
and after mature delberation unanimously
affirmed the judgment of the court below The
case now comes before me by the petition of
the defendents for consideration as Governor of
the State. If the letter of Parsons Adolph
Fischer, George Engel and Louis Lingg de
manding unconditional release or, as they
express it, liberty or death" and protesting
in the strongest language against mercy or com
mutation of the sentence pronounced against
them can be considered petitions pardon,
could it be granted, which might
imply any gull, whatever yhaIS IPTa upon the the
be such vindicaton as they demand Execu-
tive intervention upon the grounds insisted upon
by the four above named persons could in no
proper sense be deemed an exercise of the con-
st&utional power to grant reprieves commuta-
hs and pardonS, unless based upon a belief
dffmy part of their entire innocence Of the
crime of which they stand convicted. Careful
consideration of the evidence in the records
of the trials of Parsons and others,
as well as of all alleged and claimed
for them outside Of the record. has failed to
make any impression tending to impeach the
M fhta oft
court or Supreme Court affirming the guilt of all
these parties. Satisfied, therefore, as am of
their guilt l am precluded from considering
the question of Communication of the sentences of
Albert r. Parsons. Adolph Fischer, George
Engel and Louis Lining to mprison-
ment in the penitentiary as they en-
phatically declare that they will not ac-
cept such commutation, Samuel Fielden,
Michael Schwab and August Spies unite in a
petition of Executive clemency." Fielden and
Schwab, in addition, present separate and sup
Elementary petitions for communication of their
sentences. While, as said above, / am satisfied
of the guilt of all the parties as found by the
verdict OF the jury, which was sus-
tanned by the judgment of the courts,
most careful consideration of the whole
subject leads me to the conclusion that
the sentence of the law as to Samuel Fielden
and Michael Schwab may be modified as TO each
of them. in the interest of humanity and with
said Samuel Filden and Michael Schwab SEN
tence is cummuted to Imprisonment in the
penltentlary for life. AS to all the other above
named defendants, | do not feel Justified In
interfering with the sentence of the court.
While ! would gladly have come
to different conclusion in re-
gard to the sentence Of the defendants
August Spies, Adolph Fielden, George Engel,
Albert r. Parsons and Louis Lingg. regret to
say that under a solemn sense of my obligations
of Office have been unable to do SO.
RICHARD j. OGLEsBY, Governor.
THE DECISION APPROVED.
The announcement of the Governors de-
cision spread like wildfire this evening, and
the greatest excitement naturally prevailed.
His action meets with general approval. He
is evidently giving no heed, whatever, to
the great volume of threatening letters he
has received, as lights are shining brightly
from the windows of the executive
mansion, and everything has its wonted ap-
pearance. Four policemen are, however,
keeping a close lookout around the mansion
and will doubtless continue 10 do so nightly
until some time after the execution Of the
condemned men.
II is learned at a late hour tonight that
Capt Black has wired Mr.. Schilling to re-
main in Springfield as he Black will ar
rive here in the morning at 6:20 o'clock to
appear before the Governor and urge a stay
in the execution of Parsons on the ground
that the latter is insane, and has been for
many months, and is not responsible for his
acts. He will also make a plea for Spies,
and in fact for all tha cOndelDnad men